Recommended for rock fans too! — A classic album of modern blues

unlucky boyChicken Shack

CHICKEN SHACK – Unlucky Boy.1973.wmv

Chicken Shack, led by Stan Webb and active since the 1960s, is a band that’s always mentioned when discussing British blues.

This track, with its effective use of saxophone, is rooted in the blues yet approaches the sound from a decidedly rock-leaning angle, and can be considered one of their signature works.

Good MorningMemphis Minnie

Memphis Minnie – Good Morning

Memphis Minnie, born in 1897 in Algiers, Louisiana, was a female blues singer and guitarist who secured star status in the male-dominated blues world.

She mastered guitar and banjo in her childhood in Walls, Mississippi, and by around age 13 she was singing on the streets of Memphis.

She joined medicine shows and circuses and began traveling throughout the South.

In 1939, Me and My Chauffeur became a hit; her powerful voice and bold guitar playing captivated listeners, and she recorded over 250 tracks.

Good Morning was recorded in Chicago in 1936.

Death Valley BluesBlack Cat Bones

Black Cat Bones – Death Valley Blues

An essential band that cannot be omitted when discussing the history of British blues.

Rooted in the blues, their dragging, heavy riffs and entwining guitar tones give a distinctly “heavy blues” impression.

There’s also an underground vibe, and you can strongly sense the era’s atmosphere—something that could only emerge in the 1970s.

On The Road AgainCanned Heat

Canned Heat – On The Road Again [HQ]

A leading American blues band.

All the members are highly accomplished, and their hallmark is a wide-ranging musicality that covers the entire spectrum of “American music,” from traditional blues to boogie, Cajun, and hard rock.

They have recorded numerous collaborative albums with major blues artists in the past, and even now—despite the passing of key members from their heyday—they continue to perform with a changing lineup.

Wang Dang DoodleKoko Taylor

Wang Dang Doodle – Koko Taylor w Little Walter 1967

Known as the “Queen of the Blues,” Koko Taylor is an iconic figure of Chicago blues, celebrated for her no-holds-barred vocal power.

Her 1969 debut album, Koko Taylor—produced by Willie Dixon—features 12 tracks, including her signature song, “Wang Dang Doodle.” Backed by a stellar lineup including Buddy Guy and Walter Horton, Taylor’s raw, powerhouse vocals explode throughout the record.

Though she went on to win numerous accolades such as the Grammy and Blues Music Awards, this album stands as the starting point of her illustrious career.

It’s a must-listen not only for those seeking the essence of the blues but also for rock and R&B fans alike.

Woman, You Don’t Have To Be So ColdLittle Milton

Woman, You Don’t Have To Be So Cold

Despite his pure blues upbringing, Little Milton—a blues singer and guitarist—won widespread popularity with a musical style that brought in elements of soul, funk, and R&B.

Starting his music career in his teens, Milton signed with Checker Records, a subsidiary of the famed Chess Records, in 1960 and went on to release a string of hits.

In the 1970s, he scored success on Stax Records, a leading Southern soul label, with bluesy yet supremely soulful classics adorned with lavish horn sections and strings.

He is highly regarded as an important artist in both the blues and soul genres.

Although it’s hard to pick just one work from a long career that lasted until his passing in 2005, today I’d like to spotlight the 1973 album “Waiting For Little Milton,” a beloved classic from his Stax period.

From upbeat, irresistibly funky tracks to bluesy, mellow numbers, it’s a superb record that showcases Milton’s soulful vocals and the guitar work rooted in his blues background.

Highway61Mississippi Fred McDowell

Mississippi Fred McDowell – Highway 61

Fred McDowell, a leading figure in blues singing with guitar—the ultimate form of guitar expression.

Originally an ordinary farmer living in the Delta, he’s known for the story of being “discovered” by people in the music world while playing blues during breaks from farm work.

A track where earthy, raw blues pulses with powerful life.